Looking at 43-10 Loss

Was it ugly? Oh yeah! But checking the standings today, it still only shows up as one in the loss column.

There always seems to be a knee-jerk reaction when the Riders offence fails to show much life that it must be the quarterback's fault. In fact, it seems that a number of fans are just waiting for the moment when Darian Durant fails so that they can complain. Well, I don't think you can hang the teams inability to move the ball this week around the neck of DD.

Sure, he is in control and maybe didn't have his best game, but I'm not sure a Ron Lancaster or Kent Austin would have been able to do a whole lot more on Saturday. To often the patch work O-line was unable to hold the Als off, forcing Durant to take flight quicker than he'd like.

As for what was going on downfield, the Riders receivers never seemed to be open. The Als thru a blanket over everyone the Green and White ran out there, forcing Durant into looking at second, third and fourth receivers...while running for his life.

Nobody was doing back flips over the running game, although Wes Cates tried something after his touchdown. This was an offence that looked truly outmatched on every level by its opposition at every position. The good news is, the team doesn't seem to have lost confidence, they just seem angry with their performance. As Jeremy O'Day put it, "sometimes you need a little dirt kicked in your face." Too bad it had to be an entire garden worth in front of a packed house.

The offence isn't the only place to blame...Continuing troubles on special teams allowed for another blocked punt and a lack of any return game left the Riders staring at a long field every time the took the ball.

And last, but certainly not least, maybe its the most...Turnovers. This team needs to hold onto the ball. Period. There is no giant playmaker out there, this is a team of solid players that need to work with machine like efficiency, but when they continually cough up the ball, it makes it tough to keep the engine running. Hold onto it boys.

But as I started this column, the good news is, today is Day 1 of practice and a good number of the Riders problems are correctable before this weekends game versus Richie and the Eskimos.

Riders-Lions Post

Well, she ain't pretty, she just looks that way!

The Riders somehow managed to hang on to a 28-24 win over the visiting BC Lions Friday, in the regular season opener. Although this game resembled more mistakes than Grade 1 spelling test.

15 turnovers. Even two on the same play after a blocked punt was promptly coughed up. It was more of "you take it, I got it, its yours" than anything.

The Riders did show flashes on offence and Darian Durant had moments that made you believe. His first incompletion was certainly one of those. After being flushed from the pocket and having his first read covered, Durant heaved the ball long for Jason Clermont. The ball fell incomplete, but the pass was thrown in a manner that it was either Clermont or nobody. Good decision.

However, Durant did fumble twice, get picked three times and got stuffed on a third and inches...Still work to be done, but after the game his comments summed it up, "The win is all that matters." True that.

The defence sparkled, although there still have to be questions about how they will stop the run. Tad Kornegay was flying around the field, but on at least three occasions he was bulled over by a BC running back or QB. Tackling needs to be sharper.

However, the D did spend more time in the backfield last night than maybe all last season. Lions QB Buck Pierce was under constant pressure and was sacked, get this 9 times. The Green & White only had 28 all of last year. WOW!

Omarr Morgan was terrific. Two picks, and a hustle play that resulted in a fumble recovery! The vet totally led by example and showed that nobody should question or challenge him on the corner.

Jason Clermont had a quiet night, although the crowd did come to its feet with a noisy ovation after he made his one and only catch for 9 yards. It appears that just a little more time is needed for he and Durant to be on the same page, but when they click, it'll present Double D with just another sure handed guy to get the ball too. Weston Dressler proved there is no sophmore jinx here and Andy Fantuz looked every bit the All-Canadian. Three great hands guys, all Durant has to do is get them the ball.

So, in the end it was quantity over quality as the Riders pick up the 2 points, even if it looked like one of the ugly step-sisters.

Check out Global sports at 6 & 11 today to see a full wrap of the game. Tomorrow I'll have a story with Commish Mark Cohon.

Not So FREE Agent Frenzy

As I sit here watching the opening day of the CFL season, I feel the need to write about the NHL.  Today is perhaps the day that smart people make dumb moves, just because they have to.

Remember the days back on the playground where you felt the need to always one up another kid (of course I'm speaking to the guys, girls would never be so dumb).  You know, watching some kid jump from the swings and try a spinerama from 10 feet in the air.  You felt compelled to try a double twist from at least a dozen feet.  Stupid huh?  

But its not unlike the opening day of free agency in the NHL as GM's do their best impersonation of a 12 year old boy by trying to make the flashiest jump even if it risks their team's future.

Marian Hossa a 12 year deal?  Serious?  What are the Hawks thinking?  What will they do when Jon Toews has a contract due, or Patrick Kane, or Duncan Keith?  Crazy to say the least.

Now, I'd expect a bonehead move out of the Rangers who have made a habit of grossly overpaying players and they did it again with Marion Gaborik.  No doubt he's one of the most dynamic players in the league, albeit for about 40 games a year he actually suits up for (his average over the last 3 years).  And let's be honest, he's not even a point a game player over his career.

How about the Habs trying to show they're new found owners wealth?  Mike Cammallllerrriiii or should I just call him Mr. $$$.  6 million for a guy who had a career year playing along with Iggy and he still didn't crack the 40 goal mark.  Umm, I figure he'll be worth about $250,000 a goal this year...

The Sedins found out quickly just how much everybody thought of them...They wanted a Hossa deal and in the end got a decent deal.  Good on the Canucks for not caving.  I still think they overpayed a bit, but they did however keep their marquee players.  Too bad they fade like a flower everytime May rolls around.

I hate to say it, but maybe the top two teams during this week might be the Flames and Leafs.  Calgary adds hot young stud D man Jay Bouwmeester without really giving up anything.  Although, wasn't this a team with cap problems last year?  Where do they free up the cash?

As for the Leafs, giving up Kubina and getting Komisarek  to replace him is a huge upgrade and frees up some cash.  Although, the Buds still have a few holes to plug.

The Oil do better than break even as they lose Roli, but gain the Bulin Wall.  However, the need to dump some dead weight in the form of #27 and that brings us to the final deal of the day, or shall I say deal in the works.

The Heatley saga.  Sorry Dany, but you can't demand a trade and then try and demand where you go...Doesn't work like that in the new NHL.  You my friend will be playing in Edmonton or Berne...Either way, shut up and score some goals.

In an era where teams are losing money and the economy is in the toilet, the NHL GM's managed to spend in excess of $430 million dollars.  Just a shade more than my gambling losses in Vegas, although, I'm sure I had a better chance of winning.

The last 2 Cup winners, how were they built?  Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom all drafted to the Motor City.  Crosby, Malkin and Fleury, yep, they were drafted to the Steel City. 

Maybe GM's should spend a few more bucks on scouting and little less time trying to jump off the swings higher than their peers, in an effort to prove their boyhood.